A diverse collection of animal and human skeletons displayed in a museum setting.

One Ancestor Connects All Life

All life on Earth, including humans, shares a last universal common ancestor. That ancestor lived about 3.5–3.8 billion years ago.

Common Descent

Detailed view of trilobite fossils embedded in sedimentary rock, showcasing ancient marine life.

The Evidence Comes From Many Directions

Fossils show a long progression from very early signs of life to microbial mats and later multicellular organisms. Biochemical similarities and genetic sequences also point to common descent.

Common Descent